Republicans, Fearing for Their Lives, Voted Against Impeachment


Were Republican representatives afraid to vote to impeach Donald Trump? The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin writes that House Republicans have been successfully extorted.

"Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) in a recent MSNBC interview said: "The majority of them are paralyzed with fear. I had a lot of conversations with my Republican colleagues last night, and a couple of them broke down in tears — saying that they are afraid for their lives if they vote for this impeachment.”

"He is not the only one. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), who voted for impeachment, told Reason: "I had colleagues who, when it came time to recognize reality and vote to certify Arizona and Pennsylvania in the Electoral College, they knew in their heart of hearts that they should’ve voted to certify, but some had legitimate concerns about the safety of their families,” he said. He added, “They felt that that vote would put their families in danger.”

"...Now, it is entirely possible the threats are exaggerated or nonexistent. In that case, this is a shabby excuse for political cowardice. If the lawmakers’ fear is nothing more than imagining tweep anarchists and vulgar Trump cultists showing up at their door, then they stand in the shoes of just about any mainstream journalist. Crying because your side attracts kooks is no justification for violating your oath. Fear of mean emails or simply losing your seat should not be grounds for capitulation.

"Second, why in the world would Republicans knuckle under? If you leave Trump in power, Republicans will have rewarded and empowered violent and dangerous people, allowing Trump to remain in power because of criminal conduct. What Republicans seem to be describing is a sort of political mafia where the threat of violence keeps them in line. Is that the Republican Party — a batch of extortionists and the extorted?"

 

Comments

  1. lungtaJanuary 14, 2021 at 3:29 PM

    A famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
    They all loved this quote when it was all pension plan and expense account.
    What politician in their wildest dreams thought they would have to analyze the facts and do what is right for the country they were sworn to serve?
    Here in southern Alberta it is best to not have a street opinion too tho the two trump flags are gone off buildings. the stars and stripes out numbers the maple leaf and the provincial flag rules .
    The most popular candidate currently running, that is apparently popular with virtually everyone, is some guy named For Sale .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Disaffected LibJanuary 14, 2021 at 3:41 PM

      It is a mess, my friend, made curious by how many different ways this could play out. My sense is that America is in a fragile state and, while unlikely, it could unravel. I expect you remember surveys of American youth a few months back that showed support for democracy flagging.

      Delete
  2. Caillo Lisa June 26, 2021 at 10:45 AM

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